As 2025 begins, the grand sumo tournaments are set to commence, starting with the New Year Tournament on Sunday at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. This time, the sumo community is eagerly anticipating the possibility of new yokozunas emerging, particularly focusing on ozeki wrestlers Kotozakura, Hoshoryu, and Onosato, all of whom may be primed for this prestigious promotion.

Kotozakura and Hoshoryu are especially close to making the leap, with their standings in the New Year Tournament likely determining their futures. In the preceding Kyushu Tournament held in November 2024, Kotozakura and Hoshoryu faced off in a critical matchup, finishing the tournament with identical records before Kotozakura claimed victory and earned his first career title. As the two-week-long tournament unfolds, spectators are expected to be captivated by the unfolding drama.

The Yokozuna Deliberation Council is responsible for recommending wrestlers for the yokozuna rank to the Japan Sumo Association and operates based on strict criteria. According to these guidelines, an ozeki usually needs to win two consecutive championships or achieve significant milestones to be promoted. In the recent Kyushu tournament, Kotozakura won his title while Hoshoryu ranked just behind him, exemplifying their competitive spirits.

Interestingly, should Hoshoryu triumph in the New Year Tournament, with Kotozakura finishing close behind, discussions about a “double promotion” may arise. Such an event would be a remarkable highlight for sumo supporters.

Reflecting on this subject brings to mind the memorable case of Kisenosato, who was promoted to yokozuna after the New Year Tournament eight years back. Despite facing challenging rivals throughout his career, Kisenosato's win in the 2017 tournament, where he recorded a 14-1 record, finally earned him his long-awaited championship title.

The Japan Sumo Association had encouraged the council to weigh Kisenosato’s consistent performances when deliberating on his promotion, noting his historic significance as the first native Japanese yokozuna in nearly two decades. Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to injury, but the unforgettable nature of his promotion leaves a lasting impact on sumo fans.

With the New Year Tournament approaching, the sumo world waits in anticipation to see what stories and outcomes will emerge in the coming weeks.